Genesis 25:28

KJV

And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of [his] venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Isaac {H3327} loved {H157} Esau {H6215}, because he did eat {H6310} of his venison {H6718}: but Rebekah {H7259} loved {H157} Jacob {H3290}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yitz'chak favored 'Esav, because he had a taste for game; Rivkah favored Ya'akov.

Berean Standard Bible

Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

American Standard Version

Now Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: and Rebekah loved Jacob.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 25:28 succinctly reveals the foundational parental favoritism within Isaac and Rebekah's household, with Isaac loving Esau for his venison and Rebekah favoring Jacob. This disparity in affection immediately establishes a dynamic of partiality that will profoundly shape the lives of their twin sons and set the stage for the intense rivalries and deceptions central to the unfolding patriarchal narrative.

### CONTEXT
This pivotal verse immediately follows the birth of Jacob and Esau and a brief description of their diverging natures: Esau, a skilled hunter and man of the field, and Jacob, a "plain man, dwelling in tents" [Genesis 25:27](/genesis/25-27 "Esau and Jacob's differing natures"). The preceding narrative highlights their struggle even in the womb, foreshadowing their future conflict. Genesis 25:28 then unveils the clear division of parental affection, laying the emotional groundwork for the profound rivalry and subsequent deceptions that will characterize their family story.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 25:28 offers a concise yet powerful insight into the early family dynamics of Isaac and Rebekah, establishing a critical element that will drive much of the subsequent narrative. The verse explicitly states Isaac's affection for Esau was rooted in a tangible benefit: "because he did eat of [his] venison." This detail is significant, suggesting a love based on personal enjoyment and preference rather than an unconditional paternal bond. The Hebrew word for "venison," *tsayid* (צַיִד), literally means "game" or "what is hunted," emphasizing Esau's role as a provider of a specific delicacy that appealed to Isaac's palate.

Conversely, Rebekah's love for Jacob is stated simply, "but Rebekah loved Jacob," without an immediate explicit reason given within this verse. This stark contrast in the basis of their affections immediately highlights a profound parental partiality within the household. This favoritism, while seemingly innocuous at first glance, serves as a potent foreshadowing of the dramatic events to come, including Esau's casual selling of his birthright [Genesis 25:34](/genesis/25-34 "Esau sells his birthright") and the elaborate deception orchestrated by Rebekah and Jacob to secure Isaac's blessing [Genesis 27:19](/genesis/27-19 "Jacob deceives Isaac for the blessing") [Genesis 27](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/27 "Jacob obtains Isaac's blessing through deception"). The division of affection would become a source of great strife, contributing directly to the deep-seated family conflict and Esau's eventual hatred for Jacob [Genesis 27:41](/genesis/27-41 "Esau's hatred for Jacob"). This verse thus lays bare the human imperfections and biases present even within the family chosen by God to carry forth His covenant promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Human Flaws in the Covenant Line:** This verse starkly illustrates that even within the lineage chosen by God to carry His covenant promises, human sin, partiality, and flawed family dynamics are present. God works through imperfect people.
* **Consequences of Favoritism:** The narrative demonstrates the destructive power of parental favoritism, sowing seeds of division, resentment, and insecurity that can lead to long-lasting negative consequences within a family and beyond.
* **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Imperfection:** Despite the evident human failings and the complex, often dysfunctional, family dynamics, God's sovereign plan for the covenant and the chosen lineage (Jacob) continues to unfold, highlighting His ability to achieve His purposes even through human weakness.
* **The Nature of Love:** Isaac's love for Esau, tied to a tangible benefit, contrasts with a more unconditional ideal of parental love. This implicitly raises questions about the nature of true love and its motivations.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 25:28 serves as a timeless cautionary tale against the perils of parental favoritism. Such partiality, whether based on personal preference, talent, or perceived utility, inevitably fosters division, resentment, and insecurity among siblings, creating deep wounds that can persist for generations. It underscores the vital importance of cultivating impartial love and affirmation for all children, recognizing their unique value and strengths without creating a hierarchy of affection. The narrative also offers a sobering reminder that even in the most foundational relationships, human sin and bias can manifest, yet God's overarching purposes can still prevail amidst such imperfections.

### FAQ

**Why did Isaac favor Esau, and Rebekah favor Jacob?**

Answer: Isaac's favoritism for Esau is explicitly stated as being "because he did eat of [his] venison," indicating his love was tied to Esau's skill as a hunter and provider of a desirable delicacy. Rebekah's reason for favoring Jacob is not explicitly stated in this verse, but other biblical accounts suggest it may have been due to his more domestic nature, or perhaps her awareness of God's prophecy that "the elder shall serve the younger" [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about Jacob and Esau").

**Does this verse imply God approves of favoritism?**

Answer: No, the Bible consistently presents favoritism as a negative trait, leading to jealousy, strife, and injustice. This verse merely *describes* the reality of parental partiality within Isaac's family, not *prescribes* it as a godly behavior. The subsequent narrative clearly illustrates the destructive consequences of this favoritism, demonstrating its negative impact on the family.

**How does this favoritism relate to God's choice of Jacob over Esau?**

Answer: While God had already declared before their birth that "the elder shall serve the younger" [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about Jacob and Esau"), the parental favoritism described in Genesis 25:28 is a human failing, not a divine directive. God's choice of Jacob was based on His sovereign will and purpose, not on Jacob being inherently more deserving or on the parents' partiality. The human actions, though sinful, ultimately served (unwittingly) to advance God's preordained plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The familial dysfunction and partiality described in Genesis 25:28, while a stark depiction of human sin, ultimately serve to highlight the perfect, impartial love of God revealed in Christ. Unlike Isaac's conditional love for Esau, based on personal gratification, God's love for humanity, demonstrated through the sacrifice of His Son, is unconditional and extends to all who believe, without favoritism or partiality [Romans 2:11](/romans/2-11 "God shows no partiality"). Furthermore, the flawed lineage of Jacob, chosen despite human failings, ultimately leads to the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the true and ultimate inheritor of all blessings, not through deception or human preference, but through divine right and perfect obedience, establishing a new covenant where all who are "in Christ" become heirs of God's promises [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Heirs through Christ").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.